One of our clients required certain files to be processed and stored. As another separate service, they wanted a separate integration to capture those files or pull those files. As a storage location, we used S3. It was cloud storage between two services. It was an integration between two services.
Architect - Database Administration at Mitra Innovation
Easy to install with good security and helpful support
Pros and Cons
- "The multi-zone replication is great."
- "We would like Amazon to reduce the price of storage."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
Security-wise, it's very good. The scalability and availability are great.
The installation is easy.
It's a stable solution.
The multi-zone replication is great.
Technical support is helpful.
What needs improvement?
We would like Amazon to reduce the price of storage.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for eight months.
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is very stable. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze. It is reliable and the performance is good.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution can scale very well.
Almost all of our clients use S3 for different requirements, however, I have gotten involved for about eight months with one client.
How are customer service and support?
Overall Amazon support has been very helpful. When we have queries, when we have challenges, they were responsive. I'm a happy customer of Amazon support.
How was the initial setup?
We found the initial setup to be very straightforward. There is not any cumbersome configuration. It's very, very straightforward and easy to implement.
The deployment took a few hours. That includes handling the security configuration.
You only need one or two people for deployment and maintenance.
What about the implementation team?
As an implementor, I can help a client with the setup.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Amazon should work to revamp its pricing structure so that pricing comes down.
What other advice do I have?
I'm an implementor.
I'd rate the solution ten out of ten due to its scalability and availability. It also allows multi-zone replications. I would recommend this to customers - especially those that are geographically diverse. Companies like this should consider S3 as shared storage or for integrations required for file transfers and between multiple zones.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Implementer
OS, Network and Storage Firmware Specialist at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
I used the solution to prove my concept before deploying it on real hardware
Pros and Cons
- "Set up a performance and stress-based test suite to measure the endurance of a web application on Amazon AWS cloud system using S3 as the back-end storage infrastructure."
- "I used Amazon AWS/S3 solution to prove my concept before deploying it on real hardware. It was a great experience and was really scalable."
- "The down side is the web app should be aware of all the features that S3 provides in order to leverage its full potential."
- "Maybe they need to expand their range of physical locations."
What is our primary use case?
Set up a performance and stress-based test suite to measure the endurance of a web application on Amazon AWS cloud system using S3 as the back-end storage infrastructure.
How has it helped my organization?
In order to test application and measure its performance, it is not possible to buy the real hardware at the infant stage of product development. Hence, I used Amazon AWS/S3 solution to prove my concept before deploying it on real hardware. It was a great experience and was really scalable.
What is most valuable?
S3 provides various other ways than what a traditional web app provides. The down side is the web app should be aware of all the features that S3 provides in order to leverage its full potential.
What needs improvement?
It is a great product now. Maybe they need to expand their range of physical locations.
For how long have I used the solution?
One to three years.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Amazon S3
November 2024
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816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Service Deliery Manager at a comms service provider with 201-500 employees
A strong cloud storage solution, that is easy to use, but has a high price point
Pros and Cons
- "We appreciate that this solution is relatively easy to use, straightforward, and reliable."
- "We would like some improvement in the cost of storage via this solution, as it currently has a very high price point."
What is our primary use case?
We use this solution for cloud-based data storage.
What is most valuable?
We appreciate that this solution is relatively easy to use, straightforward, and reliable.
What needs improvement?
We would like some improvement in the cost of storage via this solution, as it currently has a very high price point.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been working with this solution for more than eight years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We have found this to be a very stable solution during our time using it.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This is a very easily scalable solution.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support for this solution are good, and have okay response times whenever we raise issues with them.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We previously used other data storage software. However, because this solution is straightforward to use, and our workload is in Amazon, it was more efficient to switch to this solution than using other tools.
How was the initial setup?
The setup of this solution is very simple, but just like any other software, there is a learning curve for those who are not yet familiar with the tool.
What about the implementation team?
We implemented this solution using our in-house team.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate this solution a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Technical Architect at Evon Technologies Pvt
Useful storage capabilities, straightforward setup, and well integrated
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable features of Amazon S3 are its storage capabilities, security, and integration."
- "Amazon S3 could improve by having more frequent updates."
What is our primary use case?
We are using Amazon S3 mostly for block storage.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features of Amazon S3 are its storage capabilities, security, and integration.
What needs improvement?
Amazon S3 could improve by having more frequent updates.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Amazon S3 for approximately six years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Amazon S3 is a highly scalable solution.
We have two clients using the solution.
How are customer service and support?
The support from Amazon S3 is excellent.
I rate the support from Amazon S3 a ten out of ten.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The setup of Amazon S3 was straightforward. The implementation process is quick.
What about the implementation team?
We used an integrator for the deployment of the solution.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
There is a license needed to use this solution and it is reasonably priced.
What other advice do I have?
I recommend this solution to others.
I rate Amazon S3 a ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Presales Consultant - Solution Architect at Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Reliable, easy to set up, and offers a free trial period
Pros and Cons
- "The stability is very good."
- "Maybe it could be a bit cheaper."
What is our primary use case?
I have used Amazon for my personal projects. I was using it for my personal things and for test purposes. I didn't use any use case. I just put some data in and read it back again.
What is most valuable?
Overall, it's a good solution.
The stability is very good.
It's an easy solution to set up.
What needs improvement?
Maybe it could be a bit cheaper. There are many people using it or willing to use it, and the data size is increasing. It is reasonable at the beginning, however, then it is starting to get a bit expensive as the data size is increasing incredibly. It is getting more expensive.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for maybe a few months just to understand the product how it works.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The product is stable. The performance is good. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze. It's reliable.
How are customer service and support?
I've never contacted technical support and have never dealt with them. Therefore, I cannot speak to helpful or responsive they would be if a person needed help.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I did not previously use a different solution. I did not use a cloud before.
How was the initial setup?
We have found the product easy to set up. It's simple. it's not too complex.
It took about one week to set everything up.
What about the implementation team?
I handled the implementation myself. I did not need the assistance of outside help from integrators or consultants.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution started off reasonably priced, however, it is getting more and more expensive.
It's a free service for one year.
What other advice do I have?
I'm an end-user.
I'd rate the solution a nine out of ten. I'm pretty happy with its capabilities.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
CEO at ITSAGILITY DMCC
Excellent sharing capabilities, particularly content sharing by multiple users
Pros and Cons
- "Enables content sharing by multiple users."
- "They could always increase object storage ability."
What is our primary use case?
I work as an integrator of Amazon S3
What is most valuable?
Normal file system storage is very limited when you want to store additional objects. The concept of S3 is to give you the option to have sharing from multiple users. They can share content among various users in a file system. It has the capacity to scale and to accommodate more files than a normal file system. This solution can really scale according to demand and you pay according to your consumption.
What needs improvement?
Whatever enhancement they could include in terms of object storage and limitations, would be an improvement. There is a five terabyte limitation size, and in today's world with the data size doubling all the time, anything extra would be helpful. We really need a very, very huge file system, a big data system to accommodate all this content.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is a scalable solution, the product has content encryption and nobody can access it. Amazon has very good security when it comes to securing the S3 buckets. You can keep the content secure and the user can have the encryption key and even Amazon doesn't have access to it. It's very secure.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward. If you want to use it as a target for backup, you redirect the backup software to store data to it by using an API to talk to the S3 buckets. Depending on the application you want to deploy, integration is also easy. Amazon provides good documentation and if you have an IT background and go through the documentation, you can integrate.
What other advice do I have?
Other companies are trying to reach them but they've been ahead of the game for a long time. As an object storage product and in comparison to what's available on the market, I rate this solution a 10 out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Integrator
Business Analytics at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
Cloud storage that is easy to setup and does what you need it to do
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature is the storage."
- "In the next release, I think that it would be good to have wizards that would update into specific applications, for example, a one-touch configuration in Pagemaker."
What is our primary use case?
We haven't released the Amazon S3 platform in a production environment. It's more for prototyping and POC so far.
Normally we use it for the data dump. It's something similar to a data lake wherein we use it to obtain the data.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature is the storage.
What needs improvement?
I would like to see translations or description context for the options.
It is difficult for me as a consultant to explain the science, or the configuration processes, or why I am using this much power or the size to the customer. It takes some effort to describe how you got to that sizing.
We have some problems with connectivity. In my country, most of the issues we have are with stable connections rather than stable platforms.
In the next release, I think that it would be good to have wizards that would update into specific applications, for example, a one-touch configuration in Pagemaker. It would mean that you don't need to activate S3, and then have to do a configuration on the page. You would want a single wizard that would do all of the necessary applications.
For how long have I used the solution?
Normally I work with on-premise solutions, then I started using Amazon S3 just over a year ago.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This solution is stable and I haven't had any issues with it slowing down.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
There are many options, but there will be a learning curve to appropriately size one for a specific use case.
We have teams divided into application, web design, web technology, and cloud applications.
How are customer service and technical support?
I haven't been in a situation where I have needed to contact technical support.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward.
Sharing with other things that I have been doing, I was able to deploy this solution in one afternoon.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Azure is another solution that we were thinking of applying.
We have heard of Google Apps, but we haven't tried that solution.
What other advice do I have?
You have to know specifically what it is being used for.
One of the issues we face is that it is a developer's environment.
In our country, the Philippines, people are often forced upon with brands such as Microsoft, Zadara, and even Oracle.
Azure is something that is explored by developers. The onus is with the formal organization to get the people back in.
I would rate this solution a fair eight out of ten. It does what I need it to do, but it is a developer's tool. It's not something that I have heard many people harp about.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
IT-Services Manager & Solution Architect at Stratis
Flexible with good pricing and a straightforward setup
Pros and Cons
- "The initial setup is not difficult or overly complex. It's very straightforward and easy to implement."
- "Technical support could have a faster response time."
What is our primary use case?
We primarily use the solution in order to share static files among web applications and mobile applications.
What is most valuable?
The ability to have everything in the cloud is the most valuable aspect of the solution.
It allows me to only pay for what I use. Therefore, the pricing model is very useful.
The initial setup is straightforward.
The solution has been stable so far.
We've found the scalability to be good.
What needs improvement?
I don't really have any pain points with this product. There isn't really anything to complain about. It does what we need it to do.
Technical support could have a faster response time. They are a bit slow right now.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for three or four years or so at this point. It's been a while.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is fairly stable. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze. It's reliable and its performance is good.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability is good. If a company can expand it, it can do so with ease.
Mostly, we implement this solution for small businesses.
At this point, neither we nor our clients have any plans to increase the usage.
How are customer service and technical support?
Technical support is okay. They aren't good or bad. They are somewhere in the middle. Our main issue is the fact that they take too long to answer questions. Sometimes you need to wait up to two days to get any kind of response from them. They need to provide answers in a more timely manner.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is not difficult or overly complex. It's very straightforward and easy to implement. A company shouldn't have any issues with the process.
The deployment times vary according to the company and its requirements. It could take anywhere from days to weeks.
You only need one person to handle the implementation process. It doesn't take a big team or a lot of people.
What about the implementation team?
We are an implementor and can implement the solution for clients if they need us to.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing is very fair. It's actually pretty inexpensive. We only pay for what we use. We don't have to pay for anything else.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We did not evaluate another product before ultimately choosing this solution. We went immediately to Amazon.
What other advice do I have?
We are implementors.
I would recommend the solution to other companies. it's a very flexible product. It's cheap. You pay for what you get. It's just a cloud. AWS has a really good cloud implementation. I could not compare it with any other -such as Azure or Google - as I have not tried any of those. Users who would like to look at other options should check out Gartner's Magic Quadrant. However, any company can go easily to AWS straight away and be sure that they're going to pay a good price for a good service.
I'd rate the solution at a ten out of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Implementer
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